Johnson Defends Vote to Kill FISA Warrant Requirement

Johnson, who doesn’t always vote, cast the decisive vote that killed the proposal, prompting outrage and condemnation from some conservatives.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) listens during a press conference following a House GOP caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 10, 2024. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on April 14 defended his crucial vote against an amendment that would have required intelligence agencies to get a warrant to search Americans’ data under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Last week, the House passed a reauthorization of the controversial spying program for two years by a vote of 273–147.